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Tim Fausch is publishing director of BNP Media’s Architecture, Engineering & Construction, Security and Mechanical Systems Groups, a collection of more than 20 trade magazines, Web sites and e-newsletters. Just don't ask him to use any actual tools. Email Tim at fauscht@bnpmedia.com.

Las Vegas Construction Meltdown

I had heard that Las
Vegas construction was in huge trouble. According to
the reports, the financial meltdown had broken the city’s back. The cranes were
idle, the jackhammers silent and the workers sent packing. Put a fork in all
those huge building projects--they're dead.

Regardless, after a month of sub-zero temperatures in Michigan, I was thrilled to head to Las Vegas to attend three trade shows last
week. Not only would I find out what flooring, roofing, and site prep pros are
encountering, I could witness firsthand all those building projects left for
dead.

To get a closer look, I strapped on my New Balance shoes and
starting running. I made it about a hundred yards from my hotel, Planet
Hollywood, when the giant PH Westgate Towers project gleamed at me.

Too bad it’s shut down, I thought. The building envelope was
nearly complete.

But it wasn’t shut down. Workers were on the ground, in the
building and yes, even operating a crane. At least one Las Vegas project was on track.

I ran down Harmon
Street until I came to some utility trucks near
the Hard Rock Hotel. It appeared the cable and electric companies were
installing new lines. Next to them was a worker on a hoist spray-coating a new
parking structure. And just a few yards further was a large crew operating
earthmoving equipment to reshape the hotel’s entrance.

OK, at least entertainment-themed hotels were still
expanding. Yet I was certain the carcasses of dozens of buildings were just
ahead on the Las Vegas Boulevard.

As I headed north on the strip, I braced for the worst. I
was approaching the $8 billion City Center project, which had promised to redefine the Las Vegas skyline.
Without a doubt, this mammoth project would be a ghost town, an eerie tribute
to the depth of our economic crisis.

But surprisingly, even from a distance, I could see that the
project had made significant progress since my last visit. The skeletal shape
of numerous buildings came into view.

Once I got closer, I saw steel, cement and glass in great
quantities, plus the foundations for some type of elevated tram system.

As I approached the site, I heard the wonderful sound of
work vehicles, power tools and heavy equipment. Amongst the dust, dozens-no, hundreds
of vest-clad construction workers peppered the buildings. And yes, even some
cranes were operating.

I took a few moments to enjoy this scene. Construction pros
were working all over Las Vegas.
New construction had not ground to a halt. Most projects, while suffering, were
still moving forward.

Yes, I know that project financiers and managers are still
wringing their hands. They are deathly concerned their construction loans will
be called, investors will bail and the funds needed to keep construction pros
on the job will disappear.

But at least for now, those pros are still working. Let’s
hope carpenters, plumbers, HVAC, stone and tile, drywallers, carpet layers,
flooring installers, electricians and dozens of other tradesmen and women will
get their chance to finish those jobs soon.

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Tim Fausch is publishing director of BNP Media’s Architecture, Engineering & Construction, Security and Mechanical Systems Groups, a collection of more than 20 trade magazines, Web sites and e-newsletters. Just don't ask him to use any actual tools. Email Tim at fauscht@bnpmedia.com.

Engineered Systems magazine’s May 2020 issue examines the revitalization of air-cooled chillers in data center facilities, the viability (or lack thereof) of duct systems, the impact the coronavirus is having on the built environment, and much more.